Grimaldi's

Yes, there is great Italian food in Syracuse!
Brooke and I arrived at GrimaldiÕs on a cold winter Wednesday evening around 6pm. The dining room only had a couple of tables occupied. Located just as you walk in the door are the daily specials, hand-written on a large chalkboard.
We were seated at a booth and soon greeted by our server, Matthew. He went over every special in great detail, and all I could think is that his memory is amazing because there had to be a dozen items listed! They have a nice wine list as well as a full bar, and he assured us that each and every item on the menu was made on the premises. And that some of these recipes have been in the family for over 60 years!
We decided to start with their Hot Antipasti ($15.95). This would be more than enough for us to share. It offered mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops, and eggplant in a sherry wine sauce with parmigiana and one long hot pepper. Matthew was prompt in bringing our drinks, and warm soft Italian bread with garlic dipping oil to accompany our appetizer.
As we waited for our appetizers, we sat down with Rita, the owner of GrimaldiÕs. She told us that this restaurant, located on Yorktown Circle (which is just off of Carrier Circle) has been at this location for five years. GrimaldiÕs has had a couple of locations over the years. Originally in Utica, the restaurant has also been on Erie Blvd, and across the street from the current location, where it was known as GrimaldiÕs Chop House. If you have had the pleasure to eat at any one of these GrimaldiÕs locations, youÕll be prepared for high and consistent quality at this location, as well.
Before out appetizer was delivered, Matthew came back and took our order. When ordering make sure your waiter is informed of any dietary restrictions you may have. Brooke chose the Chicken Scamardo ($22.95) along with a side of Pasta and Peas, and I decided to try the Shrimp Scampi ($22.95).
Just after we ordered the main dishes our Hot Antipasto appetizer arrived. It was so beautiful to look at I almost didnÕt want to eat it Ð and it was just as delicious as it looked. It was packed with green, red and yellow sweet peppers and tomato sauce with garlic and spices and the one hot pepper added the perfect amount of spiciness to the dish. There was a generous amount of shredded parmigiana cheese over the entire bowl of seafood and peppers. I could have easily made this my dinnerÉthe portion was huge!
By the time we finished our appetizer the restaurant was more than half full. Reservations are accepted here, and I always recommend calling ahead if you know you are going out to dinner. It helps the restaurant plan on the specials so they donÕt run out and it ensures you donÕt have to wait to eat.
The soothing, tastefully appointed Italian decor is the perfect setting for that romantic or special dinner. The staff here pays attention to detail. The first thing I noticed is that there are small vases of fresh flowers on every table, with a lit candle. This is also a great place to eat for any one that is traveling to the Syracuse area, as it is located close to all of the major hotels near Carrier Circle. GrimaldiÕs serves lunch Tuesday thru Friday, 11:30am to 2pm, and on Saturday or Sunday afternoons, private parties are held. If you love the food and want to serve it for special occasion you can always order it to go by the pan. Rita is here to help you out with all your catering needs.
Our salads were next to arrive at the table. They were mixed tender greens with sweet grape tomatoes and crisp purple onion slices, with some yummy homemade Italian dressing served on the side. The dressing was a tangy vinaigrette that really complimented the crumbled blue cheese. If youÕre not a salad eater you can opt for the homemade soup.
By the time our dinner arrived almost every table in the restaurant was occupied! ThatÕs how I know the food here is great - because the weather outside was freezing rain.
When our dinners were delivered to the table, Matthew offered up more drinks and some fresh shaved parmigiana cheese on each of our entrees, so we took him up on both.
My Shrimp Scampi had about six large, pink, succulent shrimp, a delicate lemon butter sauce, piled high on a bed of linguini cooked al dente. There was a perfect amount of the butter sauce. When I get to the bottom of the plate, I want to still have enough sauce to coat all of the pasta.
But there was little chance IÕd be getting to the bottom of my plate - the portions are so large I know we will be bringing home a doggie bag. But trust me, itÕs not for the doggie! These meals were so good tonight I know they are going to be just as good warmed up tomorrow.
BrookeÕs chicken Scamardo was a plump moist chicken breast layered with eggplant, prosciutto, fontina cheese, in a light vodka sauce over penne pasta. She asked me if I wanted a taste and I couldnÕt refuse. It was one of the best vodka sauces I have ever had. The chicken was cooked perfectly, and the flavors that the prosciutto and cheese brought to the dish were spot on.
We also enjoyed a side of pasta and peas. There were bits of pancetta in a light marinara sauce served over cavatelli.
After our plates were cleared from the table we had a very fun surprise. Matthew brought out a plate piled high with blue raspberry cotton candy. They have a cotton candy machine on the premises, and serve it after dinner to every table. They will make different colors depending on the occasion. If you happen to be eating there on a day that there was a SU football or basketball game, chances are good it will be orange.
Just when I thought we were done, our server decided to seduce us with dessert. We decided on the homemade cannoli. These little round tubes of crunchy pastry were filled with a sweet delicate ricotta cheese and dusted with powder sugar and mini chocolate chips. This had to be a perfect dessert!
I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a classy meal that will satisfy every palette.

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